(June 6, 2022) — Oak Lodge Water Services (District) provides a high level of service to customers in the form of reliable drinking water, wastewater collection and treatment, and watershed protection services.

This spring, the Budget Committee held public meetings and worked together to keep any rate increases to a minimum. The volunteers on the Budget Committee, who are also community members and customers, had a deep understanding of the challenges we have faced over this past year.

There are four main areas of focus in the FY 2022-23 Approved Budget:

1. Planning for the future
2. Building resilience
3. Security
4. Financial stewardship

The proposed $4.60 per month increase for the average residential customer’s monthly cost*. Here is a breakdown by service:

• Drinking Water $0.79 per month
• Wastewater $3.81 per month
• Watershed Protection $0.00 – no changes

If adopted by the Board of Directors, the rate increase will cover specific cost increases for federal rule changes, wastewater improvement projects, supply costs, state permits and fees. These rates would be effective on July 1, 2022.

Capital plans for the District drive spending in each of the next few years (see the Capital Improvement Plan section of the Budget) as the District continues to address the needs of an aging Wastewater Reclamation Facility and aging wastewater collections and drinking water distribution infrastructure.

Moreover, changes by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that went into effect on May 1, 2022, for the Wastewater Reclamation Facility will require significant additional infrastructure investments such as Tertiary Treatment and Sanitary Trunk Line Capacity improvement projects. Click here for information on how to sign up for a tour of the Water Reclamation Facility this summer.   

Learn more at the District’s upcoming Community Conversation on Wastewater Improvement Projects via Zoom on Thursday, June 9 at 6:00 pm. Registration is required to receive a link and password to attend the session. Registration is closed. Watch now: https://youtu.be/GO7F0x647eA

Personnel services and materials and services costs are experiencing modest increases due to the inflationary pressure on supply chain and cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increases approved as part of the current collective bargaining agreement.

The Board of Directors continues to be committed to making smart investments and working to keep rates affordable. Please call (503) 654-7765 if you have any questions or issues with your services.

Please join us — the Board of Directors will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 6 p.m. for the following purpose:

To provide information and receive public input regarding the proposed rate increase of $4.60 to the average residential customer’s monthly cost, effective July 1, 2022.

Further information can be obtained at https://oakwater.specialdistrict.org or by contacting the District Recorder by phone at (503) 353-4227 or by email at laural@olwsd.org. All interested persons are invited to provide comment on this matter. Those who wish to give verbal comment should attend the public hearing of which details will be published in the Clackamas Review and posted on the District website. Those who wish to submit a written comment may visit: Public Comment

*The District defines its average residential customer as a single-family residence with a 5/8-inch water meter, monthly water consumption of 6 CCF (hundred cubic feet), winter average water consumption (averaged as a calculation of wastewater billing) of 6 CCF, and 2,500 square feet of impervious surface (one equivalent service unit or ESU) for watershed protection billing.